Mistwood {book review} * * * 1/2

Mistwood by Leah Cypress

- fantasy, YA -

reviewed by Tara SG

bought eBook via Amazon.com

Book Order (?)

I’m really not sure if this is the first in a series or not? Do you guys know?

Links

Author’s Website : http://www.leahcypess.com

Amazon : hardback / eBook

Add To Your GoodReads TBR list

This book in 6 words:

confusing mystery keeps you constantly guessing

Why did I read this? And am I glad I did?

I first heard about this book via Blog With Bite and thought the cover and summary were quite interesting. While I’m glad I read it, I still feel confused and a tad let down. The characters are well-written and the story itself is extremely original. However, I don’t like to be confused. I pick sides early in series and don’t like my choice to be challenged. This is absolutely the main reason I had issues with this book. Overall, I did like it and read it all in one sitting.

Brief Summary

The Shifter is an immortal creature bound by an ancient spell to protect the kings of Samorna. When the realm is peaceful, she retreats to the Mistwod.

But when she is needed she always comes.

Isabel remembers nothing. Nothing before the prince rode into her forest to take her back to the castle. Nothing about who she is supposed to be, or the powers she is supposed to have.

Prince Rokan needs Isabel to be his Shifter. He needs her ability to shift to animal form, to wind, to mist. He needs her lethal speed and superhuman strength. And he needs her loyalty–because without it, she may be his greatest threat.

Isabel knows that her prince is lying to her, but she can’t help wanting to protect him from the dangers and intrigues of the court . . . until a deadly truth shatters the bond between them.

Now Isabel faces a choice that threatens her loyalty, her heart . . . and everything she thought she knew.

- via GoodReads.com

Plot/Pacing/Writing Style

When I started the book I felt like I had missed chapters (or books). I know I was supposed to be confused along with Isabel, but I didn’t like it. You never stop being confused. Actually even the ending confused me. I’m not really sure how to talk about the plot (any more than the summary does) without giving anything away.

The pacing was OK. I felt that it moved a little slowly at some points and I craved more action. I really wish some of the things that had happened at the end occurred earlier and that the story was extended a little longer after where it left off. I ended the book wishing that some things were answered a little better… but perhaps there will be a sequel?

While I felt like the author did a wonderful job at being descriptive without it being too much so, I think some of my confusion had to do with the differing points of view. I felt like it switched up a little more than I liked.

Characters

Isabel isn’t a were by any means. She is something completely different. Unfortunately, I was unable to connect with her. She begins the story with no memory of who or what she is and it is a very slow process of her finding out. To be honest, the point where she figures it made me yell “OH SHIT!” (which scared Luna) and is probably the only reason it got such a high rating. I only wish it would have been sooner in the story. It wasn’t that she was annoying (she’s not!) or that I didn’t like her (I did), I just couldn’t ever relate to her.

The supporting characters are fantastic. While you never know who you can trust or who you should like, you find yourself wanting to spend more time with Ven and Rokan. Even the “villains” are fun to be around. I loved Isabel’s interactions with Clarissa and the high sorcerer.

Recommendations

I’d recommend this if you like YA Fantasy. I wouldn’t call it a romance (even by YA standards) so don’t go into it expecting to be swooned. It does have a great mystery so if you want something that will keep you on the edge of your seat, this will do the trick.

Going Deeper

NO spoilers

This book talks A LOT about loyalty. The Shifter is bound to protect the king whether they want to or not. As humans, we are more fickle with our loyalties. We never know who is on whose side in the story, but it can very much be that way in the real world. Even your friends can be known to stab you in the back. I think my teen years would have been a lot easier if teen girls possessed more loyalty

Very Slight Spoiler

Isabel spends a lot of time trying to figure out who and what she is. More importantly she wants to know her purpose. The Shifter was formed because it was a powerful force of magic without a purpose until a king needed it for protection. Her greatest fear is to not be needed. I kind of feel that way right now. Like the force waiting for its purpose. I’m not sure what career path I’m even supposed to be on, let alone what kind of “mark” I want to make on the world :/

Have you read this? What did you think?